Human-Powered Irrigation Pump

ABSTRACT

A human-powered pump assembly includes a frame and a treadle pivot attached to the frame, such that the treadle pivot defines a horizontal rotational axis. The pump assembly includes a pair of treadles coupled to the treadle pivot and a rocker pivot attached to the frame, such that the rocker pivot defines a separate horizontal rotational axis. The pump assembly includes a reciprocating rocker coupled to the rocker pivot and to the pair of treadles to constrain the motion thereof, such that the rocker pivot axis is located below the treadle pivot axis.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/303,076, filed on Feb. 10, 2010, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to human-powered pump systems,and more specifically to human-powered foot treadle pumps that utilize arocker to actuate a pair of pistons for irrigation.

BACKGROUND

Human-powered treadle pumps, for example, pumps used to create suctionor pressure to irrigate fields, exist in many forms. One type includes apair of treadles connected to and disposed between a rocker and pistons.Each of the treadles is directly coupled to a corresponding piston. Atensile component (e.g., a rope or a chain) links together the rockerand the treadles and/or the rocker and the pistons. The rockerfacilitates alternating, reciprocating movement of the treadles and thecorresponding pistons. Downward movement of one treadle drives onepiston downward, while upward movement of the other treadle lifts theother piston. Lifting a piston causes a suction movement to fill apiston cylinder with fluid. Depressing a piston pumps fluid out of thecylinder for use at a higher elevation or any other location.

Many existing human-powered treadle pumps mount the rocker on a tower orvertical shaft that extends above the treadles. This arrangement,however, can create instability and inefficiency in the operation of thepump. Adding stiffness to certain components to address instability andinefficiency may cause the overall weight to increase, as well asincrease cost of the pump. Moreover, a heavier pump may still beinefficient, in that power transfer between components can be diminisheddue to relatively high friction losses and energy required to overcomeinertial effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, there exists a need for a lighter, stiffer, and lower-costhuman-powered treadle pump and associated method that meets theseobjectives, for providing a reliable way for people to transport waterand liquids and make pump repairs easily, when necessary.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a human-powered pump assemblyhaving a frame and a treadle pivot attached to the frame, such that thetreadle pivot defines a horizontal rotational axis. The human-poweredpump assembly includes a pair of treadles coupled to the treadle pivotand a rocker pivot attached to the frame, such that the rocker pivotdefines a separate horizontal rotational axis. The human-powered pumpassembly includes a reciprocating rocker coupled to the rocker pivot andto the pair of treadles to constrain the motion thereof, such that therocker pivot axis can be located below the treadle pivot axis.

In an embodiment of the foregoing aspect, the rocker pivot can besupported by the frame on two sides of the reciprocating rocker. Inanother embodiment, the human-powered pump assembly also includes a pairof cylinders coupled to the frame. In yet another embodiment, thecylinders can be welded to the frame.

In still another embodiment, the human-powered pump assembly may alsoinclude a piston disposed in each of the cylinders. In anotherembodiment, each piston includes a connecting rod forming a channelalong a longitudinal axis thereof. In another embodiment, each channelcan be configured to receive an edge of the reciprocating rocker toguide movement of an associated piston. In yet another embodiment, eachedge of the reciprocating rocker and an associated channel can beconfigured for rolling contact to maintain piston alignment in anassociated cylinder. In another embodiment, the pistons can be connectedby tensile members to the reciprocating rocker. In one embodiment, thetensile members may be located between the pair of treadles. In yetanother embodiment, each of the tensile members can be a flexible steelcable.

In another embodiment, the human-powered pump assembly also includes apair of valves within each cylinder. In a further embodiment, thehuman-powered pump assembly also includes a valve plate connected toeach cylinder. In still another embodiment, each valve plate forms apair of shaped apertures. In another embodiment, the pair of valves canbe adapted to seal the pair of shaped apertures and can be configured tobe installed in the valve plate via access to only one side of the valveplate. In one embodiment, the shaped aperture includes a substantiallytriangular portion. In yet another embodiment, each valve includes acompound seal with a replaceable hinge reinforcement element adapted tomodify an opening force of the valve and to bias the valve into sealingengagement with a valve plate. In another embodiment, the replaceablehinge reinforcement element includes an elongate element. In stillanother embodiment, the replaceable hinge reinforcement element includesa tubular element.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of operating ahuman-powered pump, including applying a force to a first treadle torotate the first treadle about a treadle pivot axis in a downwarddirection, the first treadle coupled to a second treadle by areciprocating rocker rotating about a rocker pivot axis located belowthe treadle pivot axis, such that the second treadle rotates in anupward direction. The method also includes applying a downward force tothe second treadle to rotate the second treadle about the treadle pivotaxis in a downward direction, such that the first treadle rotates in anupward direction.

In an embodiment of the above aspect, rotation of the first treadleforces a first piston in a downward direction. In another embodiment,the first piston transfers the downward force through a first tensilemember to the reciprocating rocker, causing the reciprocating rocker torotate about the rocker pivot axis. In yet another embodiment, rotationof the reciprocating rocker provides an upward force to a second pistonthrough a second tensile member, causing the second treadle to rotate inan upward direction. In another embodiment, each treadle can be receivedin a cradle of a corresponding piston and can be raised by upwardmovement of the corresponding piston.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other features and advantages of the present invention, as well as theinvention itself, can be more fully understood from the followingdescription of the various embodiments, when read together with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic perspective views of prior art treadlepumps;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic perspective views of prior art treadlepumps

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a human-powered irrigationpump in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic side and front views of a treadle, piston,rocker pivot, and treadle pivot in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic top perspective view of a partially assembledhuman-powered irrigation pump of FIG. 3, without the treadles;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a treadle in accordance withone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a flexible steel cable component inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8A-8E depict a procedure for disassembling a human-poweredirrigation pump in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic top perspective view of a prior art valve mountingconfiguration;

FIG. 10 is a schematic top perspective view of a shaped aperture in avalve plate and a corresponding valve in accordance with one embodimentof the invention;

FIGS. 11A and 11B depict a procedure for installing a valve in a valveplate in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic bottom perspective view of a cylinder welded to aframe in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of one embodiment of a valve mounted onthe underside of a valve plate;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematic top perspective views of valves inaccordance with other embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic top perspective view of a spigot with a steppeddiameter in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of a nested pair of human-poweredirrigation pumps configured for compact shipping in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict prior art treadle pumps 100 a, 100 b in which arocker element 102 is mounted above the treadles, often on a tower 103.The tower 103 may add weight to the pump 100, and may flex in use. Thisis particularly the case when, as in normal practice, the rocker 102 ismounted on a cantilever 105 jutting from the tower 103, as depicted inFIGS. 2A and 2B. The tower 103 may either be allowed to flex in use,absorbing human power input that decreases the efficiency of the pump100, or may be made sufficiently stiff, which adds weight and cost, tosubstantially resist major flexing. The rocker 102 may take severaldifferent forms, such as a circular wheel 102 a or a generallyrectangular profile 102 b. Typically, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, therocker 102 supports a tensile component 104 (e.g., a rope 104 a or achain 104 b) connected to a pair of pistons 106 and/or treadles 108below it. When a user steps on a raised treadle 108, the piston 106below the treadle 108 may be forced down, evacuating its cylinder 110 offluid while pulling down on the rope 104 a or chain 104 b. The rocker102 may then pivot and pull up on the other piston 106′ and treadle 108′combination, causing a suction movement and drawing fluid into itscorresponding cylinder 110′. By stepping on this now raised treadle108′, the action may be reversed and fluid may be cyclically drawn intoand pumped out of the cylinders 110, 110′. Corresponding flapper valvesaffixed to opposite sides of a valve plate located at the bottom of eachcylinder may regulate the flow into and out of the cylinders (as shownin FIG. 8E).

In several prior art treadle pumps 100, the treadle 108 is interposedbetween the piston 106 and the rocker 102, and the rocker 102 slidesonto the cantilevered horizontal shaft 105. At the same time, the rocker102 may be linked to the pistons 106. Delinking the different componentsto extract the pistons 106 from the cylinders 110 may require asignificant amount of time. Handling individual pistons 106 afterextraction can be difficult, since the pistons 106 may still be linkedto the rocker 102. Piston cups above a piston disk (i.e., the cups thatprovide suction) may need to be stretched over the piston disk afterdetachment from cup retainers. Some of these operations may require twopeople working together.

FIGS. 3-5 depict an embodiment of the present invention directed to alighter, stiffer, easier to repair, and lower-cost human-powered treadlepump 200 relative to the prior art pumps 100 a, 100 b, in which areciprocating rocker 202 is supported by a rocker pivot 212 disposedbetween treadles 208, 208′ and mounted below a treadle pivot 214 thatprovides a pivotable connection for the treadles 208, 208′. Each treadle208, 208′ may be directly linked to and mounted on a piston 206, 206′. Atensile member 204 may be used to connect the reciprocating rocker 202to one piston 206, and another tensile member 204′ may be used toconnect the reciprocating rocker 202 to another piston 206′ (see FIG.8B). Each end of the tensile members 204, 204′ may terminate in metalnipples or metal sleeves 216 (see FIG. 7) to help maintain a constantlength and allow the tensile members 204, 204′ to be secured withingrooves or other receptacles in the pistons 206, 206′ and thereciprocating rocker 202. Downward movement of the treadle 208 may pushdown the corresponding piston 206, causing the tensile member 204 topull down one side of the reciprocating rocker 202 and forcing it torotate about the rocker pivot 212. This in turn may pull up the otherpiston 206′ on the other side of the reciprocating rocker 202 by meansof the other tensile member 204′. This arrangement offers significantbenefits in terms of manufacturability, maintainability, and operationalreliability, as discussed further below.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the reciprocating rocker 202 rotates aboutthe rocker pivot 212, which may be mounted at a lower elevation than thetreadle pivot 214 (i.e., the axis about which the treadles 208, 208′rotate), while providing effective transfer of forces and coordinationof treadle movement. The frame 218 may include a mount 222 for therocker pivot 212 lower than the treadle pivot 214 (see FIG. 5). Bymounting the rocker 202 at a lower level and on simple supports on theframe 218, the pump 200 can achieve a greater stiffness, reduced weight,and lower cost by using less material than prior art treadle pumps 100a, 100 b. The vertical offset distance is represented in FIGS. 4A and 4Bas a dimension “X,” typically measured in inches or centimeters. In thedepicted embodiment, the rocker pivot 212 and the treadle pivot 214 arealso offset by a horizontal distance, represented in the figures as adimension “A” and typically measured in similar units. The rocker pivotis also horizontally offset from a distal end of the treadles 208, 208′,represented in the figures as a dimension “B” and again typicallymeasured in similar units.

A foot plate 220 may be connected to the distal end of each of thetreadles 208, 208′. The foot plate 220 may provide a friction surface toallow operation while minimizing the risk of slippage. This can beaccomplished through many means, including raising portions of thesurface or by providing a textured surface (e.g., rippled edges).

In some embodiments, shown in FIG. 6, the wall thickness of the treadles208, 208′ can vary along the length of the treadle 208, 208′, beingthicker at the pivot end and thinner at the foot plate end. This designhelps to minimize weight while optimizing strength by increasing thewall thickness of the treadles 208, 208′ at points where maximum stressis expected (i.e., from the treadle pivot 214 to over the pistons 206,206′), and reducing the wall thickness at points further away from theexpected high stress areas (i.e., proximate the foot plates 220). Thetreadles 208, 208′ may be manufactured as welded box beams.

The treadles 208, 208′ may rest in cradles 224, 224′ at the tops of thepistons 206, 206′ and are capable of reacting to input forces from avariety of sources. In one embodiment, the bottom of the cradles 224,224′ may be substantially triangular (or any other geometrical shape) toaccept a similarly shaped portion of the treadles 208, 208′ and can havecircular shaped sidewalls (or any other geometrical shape) to preventthe treadles 208, 208′ from slipping off the piston 206, 206′. Forexample, the treadles 208, 208′ may be actuated by a human steppingmotion. The treadles 208, 208′ can also be forced upward by the movementof the pistons 206, 206′.

In one embodiment, each piston 206, 206′ may include a connecting rod226, 226′ which forms a channel 228, 228′ along its longitudinal axis.Each channel 228, 228′ can be of sufficient width so that an arcuateedge of the rocker 202 may fit within the channel. In operation, eachedge of the rocker 202 may contact an inner wall of each channel 228,228′. This interaction may be as small as a single point of contact oras large as an entire surface of the rocker 202. As the system operatesas described above, the rocker edge may rotate along with the verticaltravel of each piston 206, 206′ to guide the piston 206, 206′, e.g., ina substantially straight vertical path. Ensuring a vertical path reducesenergy losses in the system due to additional friction and bendingforces which can result from a misaligned piston. Reducing these energylosses can help maintain the efficiency of the pump assembly 200 andprolong the life of the piston components 206, 206′.

In various embodiments of the tensile members 204, 204′, which form theconnection between the reciprocating rocker 202 and the pistons 206,206′, the tensile members are flexible steel cables (e.g., wire rope),as seen in FIG. 7. Using this material, or other similar materials,helps avoid undesirable characteristics of using chains or ropes forperforming a similar power transmission function in other pumps. Chainstend to wear at the contact points between links, which leads tolengthening of the chain, and consequently allows the treadles 208, 208′to drop in relation to the foot section of the frame 220. This canresult in a reduction in the stroke of the pistons 206, 206′, and thusthe amount of water pumped. Rope may be more easily adjusted than achain, but adjustments are frequently needed because rope tends tostretch. Being forced to adjust the rope frequently is a clearinconvenience to the user. Further, rope wears over time and can breakmore easily than some other materials. The flexible steel cable used insome embodiments may be terminated in metal nipples 216 (e.g., copperswagings) to resist stretching and to prevent the need for frequentadjustments. The terminations may be precisely spaced and the cables maybe quickly replaced (e.g., in less than a minute for some embodiments)after a much longer useful life.

Disassembly of the pump 200, such as for cleaning or maintenance, isalso made easier in this arrangement, and is depicted in FIGS. 8A-8E.The treadles 208, 208′ may be rotatably coupled to the treadle pivot 214on the frame of the pump 218, such that the treadles 208, 208′ may bedecoupled from the pistons 206, 206′ by simply lifting them upwards androtating them upwards about the treadle pivot 214, out of the pistoncradles 224, 224′, and resting them on the ground in front of the pump200 (FIG. 8A). The treadles 208, 208′ do not need to be removed from thepump 200. The reciprocating rocker 202 may then be accessible from aboveand, therefore, can be removed by simply lifting and tugging eachtensile member 204, 204′ from its mount (FIG. 8B), then taking thereciprocating rocker 202 off its mounting 222 (FIG. 8C). Thereafter, thepistons 206, 206′ may be lifted vertically without restriction (FIG.8D). Each piston 206, 206′ may be dealt with separately for inspectionand refurbishment, as necessary. For example, an upper piston cup may beremoved from its retainer and lifted up around the connecting rod 226,226′. Finally, a valve plate 230 located at the bottom of the cylinder210, 210′ is revealed and may be readily accessed for valve 232 removal(FIG. 8E).

In prior art pumps, flapper valves 332 are typically held in a fixedlocation by some kind of structure, such as a bar support and associatedrivets 334, as seen in FIG. 9. This configuration entails extra costover simpler configurations, both in terms of additional components andlabor during manufacture. Repair may also be difficult, sometimesrequiring that the rivets be drilled out and new rivets installed tosecure a replacement valve. Further, if this valve support isimperfectly positioned or becomes unadjusted in use, the pump mayoperate at a much lower efficiency, or not at all. The bar support couldend up in the wrong position or displace the valve 332 for a variety ofreasons, including corrosion of the structure. Additionally, some priorart valve mounts with additional support structure may require severalsteps to insert a valve, and may require more open space than isprovided for in a cylinder mounted on a pump frame. Other prior arttreadle pumps have a valve box located below a cylinder that must besplit and attached with bolts, to permit access to the outlet valve(i.e., located below the valve plate). This frequently also requiresdisengaging the cylinders from the frame.

In an embodiment of the present invention, as seen in FIG. 10, thevalves 232 require no structural support beyond an aperture 231 formedin the valve plate 230 to secure the valves 232 in place. FIGS. 11A and11B depict how the valves 232 may be positioned in the shaped portion ofthe aperture 231. The shape of the valve 232 may form a substantiallycomplementary shape to the aperture 231. In an additional or alternativeembodiment, depicted for example in FIG. 8E or FIG. 10, the aperture isnot symmetrical about two planar axes (e.g., not uniformly shaped alongits length). For example, the edges of the aperture in the valve plate230 may be closer to each other in a narrower portion and further awayat points immediately to either side of the narrower portion. Thenarrower portion of the aperture may receive and secure the valve 232 tothe valve plate 230.

To secure the valve 232 to the valve plate 230, the valve 232 may beheld in the shaped aperture 231 such that portions of the valve 232 areon either side of the valve plate 230. The valve 232 may be slid ormoved toward an edge of the shaped aperture 231, such as the narrowerportion, which is shaped to accept a corresponding part of the valve232, so as to retain the valve 232 in a stable position on the valveplate 230. This fit may be achieved, for example, by matingcomplementary shapes or by forcing a larger structure into or through asmaller space to achieve a snap-fit connection or friction fit. Once thevalve 232 is secured to the valve plate 230, the shape of the valve 232should cover the entire aperture 231 or substantially the entireaperture 231. This configuration, as well as other contemplatedconfigurations, can reduce manufacturing costs and incidences ofimperfect positioning when compared with other valve configurations thatrequire additional supporting structure.

In some embodiments of the invention, the valves 232 can be installed byaccessing only one side of the valve plate. For example, both of theinlet and outlet valves 232 may be installed while the cylinder 210,210′ is mounted on the frame 218. This allows the cylinders 210, 210′ tobe welded to the frame 218 in another preferred embodiment, as seen inFIG. 12, reducing the risk of leaks through an unsecured seal betweenthe cylinders and the frame.

Once installed, the valves 232 for the outlets hang below the valveplates 230, as depicted in FIG. 13. Over time, the sealing part 234 ofthe valve 232 may sag, and, in certain circumstances, may becomepermanently deformed and remain in a position similar as that depictedin FIG. 13. This deformation reduces the sealing effectiveness over theaperture 231 and reduces the efficiency of the pump 200, because agreater force would be required to close the valve 232.

FIGS. 14A and 14B depict alternative embodiments of the valve of thepresent invention, including those with additional replaceable partsmade of rubber or other materials to form a compound seal. Rubbertypically does not suffer creep as much as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) orother plasticized vinyl or cellulosic plastics. These added parts mayprovide slightly greater resistance to valve opening and may helpeliminate valve sag or droop. One embodiment includes a rubber hosesection 336 mounted transversely, parallel to the axis of the hinge of avalve 332, as seen in FIG. 14A. In this configuration, the rubber hose336 may be compressed radially when the valve 332 is opening, providinga biasing force urging the valve 332 to close. In an alternativeembodiment, the aperture into which the section of the rubber hose 336is inserted is ovoid, so that the section of the rubber hose 336 isalready slightly radially compressed, thereby providing a pre-loadedspring-like force urging the valve 332 to seal against the valve plate.In another embodiment, the additional part is a rubber strip 436 mountedlongitudinally along a valve 432 and across the hinge, as seen in FIG.14B. The strip 436 is bent when the valve 432 is opening, therebyproviding a spring-like force urging the valve 432 to close. In afurther embodiment, the shape of the hole into which the rubber strip436 is inserted is bowed, so as to pre-load the rubber strip 436 andurge the valve 432 to fit snugly against the valve plate. The addedparts may be made of a variety of different materials, in differentthicknesses, configurations, and profiles, to control the loading andpre-loading forces on the valves.

As seen in FIG. 15, an embodiment of the current invention also includesa spigot 240 with stepped diameters which extends from a valve box toform connections with an inlet or an outlet hose. The stepped diametersenable the pump 200 to be connected to a variety of different availablehoses of various inner diameters in the locality of use.

Another problem with prior art treadle pumps is that they are an awkwardshape and when packed into a container for trans-national shipment, themaximum quantity is very limited. The present invention is designed tomaximize the number of units that could be shipped in a container atonce. In one embodiment, the pumps are nestable within each other, asseen in FIG. 16, allowing almost twice as many pumps to be loaded in thesame volume in the container as compared to some prior artconfigurations, leading to considerably reduced shipping costs.

Example

Exemplary materials and dimensions for an embodiment of thehuman-powered irrigation pump are discussed herein below. The inventionis not intended to be limited to these properties and they are used onlyto illustrate one such embodiment. In one embodiment, the rocker pivotand treadle pivot are horizontally offset by about 20 cm (dimension A inFIG. 4A) and vertically offset by about 6 cm (dimension X in FIGS. 4Aand 4B). The piston may travel about 7 cm (dimension Y in FIG. 4A) fromits lowest point to its highest point and the end of each treadleproximate the foot plate may travel about 25 cm from its lowest point toits highest point (dimension Z in FIG. 4A). FIG. 4A is just onerepresentation of the range of travel. For example, the lowest point oftreadle travel may be well below horizontal. The horizontal distancebetween the end of the treadle proximate the foot plate and the centerof the rocker pivot is about 60 cm. This configuration provides anapproximately 4:1 mechanical advantage. In one embodiment of the pumpassembly, when the pumps are nested as in FIG. 16, the dimensions of thearea occupied by the pumps are approximately 80 cm×40 cm×30 cm.

Further embodiments of the pump assembly may consist of components ofdifferent dimensions. The rocker pivot 212 and treadle pivot 214 may behorizontally offset by as little as 2 cm and up to distances of 200 cmand greater. The rocker pivot 212 and treadle pivot 214 may bevertically offset by as little as 0 cm and up to distances of 50 cm andgreater. The piston 206, 206′ may travel as little as 0.5 cm and up tolengths of 50 cm and greater. The treadles 208, 208′ may travel aslittle as little as 5 cm and up to lengths of 100 cm and greater. Thepump 200 may be configured to achieve a mechanical advantage rangingfrom less than 1:1 to 10:1 and greater.

Portions of the pump assembly which are not designed to come intocontact with the liquid being pumped can be made of a suitable steel andwelded for strength and reliability. Those portions of the pump assemblywhich are intended to contact the liquid being pumped can be made of ahardened, stainless or galvanized steel, or otherwise treated to resistcorrosion. For example, the pump 200 may be built with stainless steelvalve plates 230 and piston disks while valves 232 and piston cups maybe made from flexible plastics or rubbers. Therefore, the main sealingsurfaces which mate with flexible plastic and/or rubber components(i.e., the valves 232 and piston cups) should not corrode and sealingshould remain impervious to corrosion throughout the life of the pump200. Each of the valve plates 230 may be a flat plate with shapedapertures 231 (e.g., oblong- or ovoid-shaped holes). The valves 232 andpiston cup may be made of any suitable resilient compliant material,such as polyolefins, natural or synthetic rubbers, or combinationsthereof, such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Other components of thepump assembly 200 may be made of the materials discussed herein as wellas any other suitable materials for a pumping application. For example,if being lightweight is important, portions of the pump assembly 200 maybe manufactured from aluminum, high-strength plastics, fiber-reinforcedresin composites, etc.

In some embodiment, the frame 218 may be made of mild steel. Thetreadles 208, 208′ may be made of mild steel or aluminum castings. Therocker 202 may be made of fabricated or pressed mild steel sheet. Thevalves 232 may be made of plasticized PVC. The piston rod 226, 226′ andthe piston cup retainers may be made of pressed mild steel, and thepiston disc may be blanked from stainless steel. The tensile members204, 204′ may be made of stainless steel wire rope. The treadle pivot214 may be made of pressed or formed mild steel. The cylinders 210, 210′may be made of mild steel. The valve plates 230 may be made of stainlesssteel. The footplates 220 may be made of mild steel.

The terms and expressions employed herein are used as terms andexpressions of description and not of limitation, and there is nointention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding anyequivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof. Inaddition, having described certain embodiments of the invention, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodimentsincorporating the concepts disclosed herein may be used withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects as onlyillustrative and not restrictive. Furthermore, the configurationsdescribed herein are intended as illustrative and in no way limiting.Similarly, although physical explanations have been provided forexplanatory purposes, there is no intent to be bound by any particulartheory or mechanism, or to limit the claims in accordance therewith.

1. A human-powered pump assembly comprising: a frame; a treadle pivot attached to the frame, the treadle pivot defining a horizontal rotational axis; a pair of treadles coupled to the treadle pivot; a rocker pivot attached to the frame, the rocker pivot defining a separate horizontal rotational axis; and a reciprocating rocker coupled to the rocker pivot and to the pair of treadles to constrain the motion thereof, wherein the rocker pivot axis is located below the treadle pivot axis.
 2. The pump assembly of claim 1, wherein the rocker pivot is supported by the frame on two sides of the reciprocating rocker.
 3. The pump assembly of claim 1 further comprising a pair of cylinders coupled to the frame.
 4. The pump assembly of claim 3, wherein the cylinders are welded to the frame.
 5. The pump assembly of claim 3 further comprising a piston disposed in each of the cylinders.
 6. The pump assembly of claim 5, wherein each piston comprises a connecting rod forming a channel along a longitudinal axis thereof.
 7. The pump assembly of claim 6, wherein each channel is configured to receive an edge of the reciprocating rocker to guide movement of an associated piston.
 8. The pump assembly of claim 7, wherein each edge of the reciprocating rocker and an associated channel are configured for rolling contact to maintain piston alignment in an associated cylinder.
 9. The pump assembly of claim 5, wherein the pistons are connected by tensile members to the reciprocating rocker.
 10. The pump assembly of claim 9, wherein the tensile members are located between the pair of treadles.
 11. The pump assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the tensile members is a flexible steel cable.
 12. The pump assembly of claim 3 further comprising a pair of valves disposed within each cylinder.
 13. The pump assembly of claim 12 further comprising a valve plate connected to each cylinder.
 14. The pump assembly of claim 13, wherein each valve plate forms a pair of shaped apertures.
 15. The pump assembly of claim 14, wherein the pair of valves are adapted to seal the pair of shaped apertures and are configured to be installed in the valve plate via access to solely one side of the valve plate.
 16. The pump assembly of claim 15, wherein the shaped aperture comprises a substantially triangular portion.
 17. The pump assembly of claim 12, wherein each valve comprises a compound seal with a replaceable hinge reinforcement element adapted to modify an opening force of the valve and to bias the valve into sealing engagement with a valve plate.
 18. The pump assembly of claim 17, wherein the replaceable hinge reinforcement element comprises an elongate element.
 19. The pump assembly of claim 17, wherein the replaceable hinge reinforcement element comprises a tubular element.
 20. A method of operating a human-powered pump, the method comprising the steps of: applying a downward force to a first treadle to rotate the first treadle about a treadle pivot axis in a downward direction, the first treadle coupled to a second treadle by a reciprocating rocker rotating about a rocker pivot axis located below the treadle pivot axis, such that the second treadle rotates in an upward direction; and applying a downward force to the second treadle to rotate the second treadle about the treadle pivot axis in a downward direction, such that the first treadle rotates in an upward direction.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein rotation of the first treadle forces a first piston in a downward direction.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first piston transfers the downward force through a first tensile member to the reciprocating rocker, causing the reciprocating rocker to rotate about the rocker pivot axis.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein rotation of the reciprocating rocker provides an upward force to a second piston through a second tensile member, causing the second treadle to rotate in an upward direction.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein each treadle is received in a cradle in a corresponding piston and is raised by upward movement of the corresponding piston. 